“Ah was never worried about mine, but Lachlan’s. He needs tae die for Ian tae inherit, ah dinnae. My paw just hates me.”
“I’m sorry. My father wasn’t always a lying, cheating arse. But the last several years before he died, he took his anger out on those closest to him.”
“What makes people do the things they do?”
He often asked himself the very same thing. “I wish I knew what made my father change. What made him drink himself to death? Spend the family fortune on mistresses and cards. Alas, it’s something we will never know. I’m trying to resign myself to never knowing. I know it weighs heavily upon my brother. Probably more so as he was left with my father’s messes to clean up. His debts, the estates falling into disrepair, and tenant farmers struggling to put food on their table.”
“If you hadnae told me ah wouldnae have ken about the struggles.”
“You might not have known, but the whole of the ton does. But I think I can speak for my family when I say we don’t let the gossip bother us. Not anymore.”
Teagan lay her head back against his chest, and he rested his cheek against her head. Everything about holding her felt right. Was this why he never married Marissa? Because he’d known, deep down, Teagan was out there waiting for him?
“Teagan.” he nuzzled her hair. “I want to kiss you.” His muscles coiled with need, his hands trembled with the urge to touch and feel her soft skin beneath his fingertips.
“Sebastian,” she murmured as she looked up at him with desire and need in her eyes, making his heart soar.
He cradled her face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. Upon contact his body sizzled and he deepened the kiss. She moaned and curled her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. The feel of her unbound breasts against his chest fueled his lust out of control. She made him feel out of control and on the verge of exploding. There was no way she couldn’t feel his arousal pushing up against her behind.
Gasping for air, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “Teagan. I want you. Do you understand what that means?” All air suspended from his lungs as he waited for her answer.
“Aye and nay.”
He still couldn’t breathe. “I won’t compromise you, but I need to touch you. Can I touch you?” More holding his breath for what seemed like an eternity. And then he heard the softest murmur.
“Aye.”
“Oh, God, Teagan, I want you so much it’s killing me.” Besides a young widow he’d visited on occasion since his return from America, he’d been left to his own devices. He didn’t believe in having a mistress, thanks to his father. So sex wasn’t something Sebastian had on a regular basis, and his body was aroused beyond recent memory. He had to tamp it down and make this about Teagan. He didn’t want to frighten her after her altercation with the brute she was affianced to. The same creature who tried to violate her. She needed to be handled gently and lovingly.
His lips trailed down the gentle curve of her neck, across the top of her bosom and up the other side. While his mouth cherished her, his good hand cupped her breast through the gossamer silk fabric and her nipples pebbled, begging for his attention.
Using his hand, he pulled her night rail down, exposing one small creamy breast. His mouth found her pert nipple, suckled and laved it with his tongue, and he nearly came in his breeches at the sensual noises coming through Teagan’s open lush lips.
Chapter Eleven
Teagan could do nothing but let Sebastian have his way with her. Her body was soft and pliant, her skin tingled with awareness, and she wanted more than anything to have his hands down there. What gave her peace of mind and made her able to give herself up to the pleasure of his hands and mouth on her was that she trusted him not to take her virginity. And she knew, without a doubt, he would never be rough with her, never cause her pain.
When his hands cupped and kneaded her breasts, heat spread throughout her entire body. But that didn’t compare to when he pulled her night rail down, exposing her bosom to the cool air only to be covered with his hot mouth. When his tongue laved her nipple and he took it between his teeth and gently bit her, she almost fell off his lap. His arms steadied her. So she did the only thing she could think of, she wiggled her bottom against his engorged manhood which had him groaning and rocking his hips up against her behind
“Teagan, you drive me to distraction. Can I touch you down there?” He moaned. “I promise your virginity will be intact.”
Teagan didn’t have to think. The words escaped her lips without a thought. “Aye. Oh, please, touch me.” Who was this wanton woman begging to be touched? What had Sebastian done to her? If she didn’t guard her heart, she’d think she already loved him...just a little.
His warm, rough hand caressed her ankle, slowly and torturously it traveled over her calf, paused at her knee then continued on up the inside of her thigh until his hand was there, but not there. It hovered just out of reach at the juncture of her thighs. Waiting and driving her crazy with need and curiosity. Just as she rose up her hips, his hand descended and cupped her and stilled. Her heart pounded so loudly it was all she could hear inside her head. Why didn’t he move his hand? And then he did. One finger swirled around her, again and again ever so gently.
Never, ever, had she experienced such sensations bombarding her. Desire, fear, exhilaration, and need. Deep down a powerful need she didn’t understand.
“Open for me, love?”
“Open?”
“Your legs,” Sebastian said as he kissed her in a drugging kiss meant, no doubt, to tantalize her even more.
Sighing into his mouth, she relaxed her thighs open and his fingers were everywhere. Outside, inside, caressing her buttocks. Oh my God surely one died and went to hell after experiencing such naughty bliss.
Her stomach coiled up tight, her body pulsed down below. Yup, she was dying and she welcomed it.
“Sebastian, what is happening to me?”
She couldn’t actually hear him smile, but she knew he was. She felt the tug of his lips against hers. “Relax and enjoy. You’re experiencing your first sexual encounter and orgasm.”
“Orgasm...ohhh...ohhh...dinnae...understand.”
Stars burst before her eyes, and she gasped for air as her body vibrated until finally she went limp. Sebastian pulled her night rail down and wrapped both arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. “You do now.”
“What happened tae me?” she said breathlessly.
“Pleasure. I pleasured you. Damn, but you are one sensual woman. But I already suspected it the first time I kissed you.”
“Do ah want tae be a sensual woman?”
Laughter bubbled out of Sebastian, and she couldn’t help but join him. She didn’t know why she laughed, she just felt happy and free and alive.
“With the right man, sensuality is nice. Very nice. I want to be the only man with the privilege of pleasuring you. The morning is coming fast. We must get you to your room before the servants rise.”
Teagan looked around the room for his crutch and found only a cane and frowned. “Please be careful with the cane. It doesnae look sturdy enough for yer weight.”
He snickered. “Yes, my dear nurse. I will be very careful. I can’t wait to attend our first ball, so I can hold you close in a waltz.”
She gasped and looked at him with a frown. “It will be sometime yet before ye take tae waltzing.”
“I beg to differ.” He nudged her off his lap and reached down for his cane, which had fallen onto the rug. “We must go.”
As quietly as they could, they walked up the staircase and down the hallway to Teagan’s bedchamber. Once outside the door, Sebastian pulled her into his arms and kissed her with so much emotion her knees nearly buckled.
Then he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and walked away, limping on his cane. Her eyes were riveted and her feet refused to move as she watched him leave her hallway and enter another.
The soft creak of the door adjacent to he
rs had her jumping in her skin.
“So, that is the way of it with my brother,” Bella said as she silently tiptoed toward her.
Heat scorched Teagan’s cheeks and chest at being caught. “Ah...”
“I think it’s wonderful. You two make a lovely couple. Does Lachlan know?”
“He has his suspicions.”
“You are blushing and glowing.” Bella smiled as she tiptoed back to her door and disappeared inside with a soft click.
Opening and closing the door without a noise was not easy, but Teagan believed she managed such a thing. Now she stood inside the room leaning against the door and hugging herself and reliving the intimate and sensual experience in Sebastian’s arms. Should she worry that Bella knew? She didn’t think so. She was married, she understood about the attraction between the opposite sexes. Besides, didn’t she say, “They made a lovely couple?” Were they a couple? Would he approach Lachlan about courting her?
Somehow her feet moved toward her bed, she collapsed down, buried beneath the coverlet, and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
What seemed like a minute later, a knock sounded on her door and Gretchen came inside, opened the drapes, rummaged inside her wardrobe, and pulled out a pretty day dress in mint green.
“Where did all the clothes come from?” Because when Gretchen opened the wardrobe Teagan glimpsed numerous dresses and matching pelisses that were not there yesterday.”
“Her Grace. She does not fit into them at the moment and was most gracious in offering them to you. Only little changes needed to be made.”
Teagan didn’t know what to say. The Seabrook family was so kind and generous to Lachlan and her, considering they were strangers.
“Would you like help dressing and styling your hair? It’s such a lovely color it would be my honor to style it.”
While Teagan had lived at Murray Castle, she’d had a ladies’ maid, but Teagan preferred to do most everything by herself. Everything that is, except for tightening her stays, when she bothered to wear such confining clothing, and hair.
Gretchen seemed eager to help. “Aye, thank ye.”
Half an hour later she found herself in the company of Bella, Amelia, and Emma as they made their way down to the breakfast room.
“So...you and Sebastian?” Emma said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Emma,” Bella scolded. “I told you not to say anything.”
“Then I’ll say it,” Amelia interjected. “You and Sebastian. I think it’s wonderful. I knew him and Marissa...”
“Amelia,” Emma scolded.
“‘Tis fine. Ah know about Marissa,” Teagan said.”
“He told you?” This from Bella.
“When he was unconscious after being attacked by the highwaymen he talked about Marissa. Ah asked him when he awoke. He told me everything.” Teagan sighed. “How romantic, eloping with a man ye hardly know.”
“Yes, well,” Bella said. “Myles is not too pleased with the turn of events. But he would never keep Marissa from her happiness. I think he wants them to come home, so he knows they are both safe and he can finally give them his blessing. Not that the captain asked for it, but my husband will give it nonetheless.”
“Ah hope tae get tae ken all three of yer husbands better. Northborough and Bridgeton seem...Ah’m afraid what ah have tae say may insult them, but they look in love. They look at ye, Bella and Amelia, with adoration and love. Ah hope someone looks at me that way.”
Her three companions giggled. “Have you not seen Sebastian when he looks at you?” Bella asked. “I didn’t have to catch you two in the hallway in the wee hours of the night enjoying each other’s lips to know my brother had that look in his eyes yesterday during afternoon tea and again at dinner.”
By the time they reached the sunny breakfast room, Teagan was warm and flustered. And it didn’t help that Sebastian was the first person she rested her eyes on. Her cheeks inflamed even more, and she wondered what was happening to her. She’d never felt young and giddy, ever. Was she in love?
After fixing a plate with sausages, fruit, cheese, and coddled eggs, she sat down with a footman’s assistance and was immediately brought warm chocolate.
“Good morning, Teagan, ah trust ye slept well?” Lachlan said to her with a knowing glint in his eyes. Did everyone know about Sebastian kissing her last night? Dear God, please don’t let them know about what else he did to her. Even thinking about it now had her insides hot and bothered.
“Aye, dear brother, ah did. And ye?”
“Ah slept like the dead.”
She didn’t believe him. On close inspection, he looked rather tired. Dark circles encased his eyes and his face looked rather drawn. How much weight had he lost since their ordeal with their father? Strange, she didn’t notice until now.
“Has there been any word from the duke?” Lachlan asked as he wiped his mouth with his cloth napkin.
“Not yet,” Myles answered. “Smythe and his men left at first light. Hopefully they will be upon Wentworth and Spencer within several days. It may be a sennight or longer before we hear anything.”
“I wonder if they have found Penelope yet,” Emma said as she looked over the rim of her cup. “With any luck they could already be traveling back.”
“Let us hope so,” The Dowager Duchess said.
Chapter Twelve
After days of travel, Wentworth and Spencer arrived at the small remote town outside of Carlisle and found lodgings at the Three Horses Inn. They sat in the private room for the gentry, eating rabbit stew and drinking a pint.
“While I went to the stables to see to the horses, did you inquire about Penelope?” Spencer asked over the top of his pint.
“Yes. The innkeeper and his wife have never heard of her. But she said they don’t know many of the local townsfolk. They only began running the inn after her brother died several months ago.”
“Too bad, it would’ve helped us in our search. I wish Penelope gave you an address instead of just the name of the bloody town.”
“Yes, well, I wish she did too. But how hard can it be to find her. This town doesn’t look all that big. First thing tomorrow we’ll set out.”
Bright and early after a quick breakfast of eggs and fresh rolls, Wentworth and Spencer set out looking for Penelope. The first stop they made was to the local vicar. And it was a good thing they did because he had word of her. All the vicar could tell them was she had fled the home of the Viscount shortly after her mother had passed. She had been working as a scullery maid, and he didn’t know why she didn’t stay on.
Wentworth couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t stay in the employ of Viscount Hadley either. At least until she heard from him. Unfortunately, Wentworth didn’t know Hadley or anything about the man. However, something deep inside his soul screamed that he wasn’t a man to be trusted.
When he and Spencer arrived at the viscount’s modest and nicely maintained estate, they were led immediately to the man’s study where a rather large, balding middle aged viscount sat behind a large mahogany desk.
The viscount stood and gestured to two chairs facing the desk. “Welcome, Your Grace, Mr. Spencer. Please have a seat and tell me why you honor me with your presence today.”
Wentworth sat and got right to the point of his visit. “I am inquiring as to the whereabouts of a young lady in your employ. A Miss Penelope Sullivan. Is she still with you?”
If Wentworth wasn’t mistaken the viscount twitched.
“She was in my employ, a scullery maid, I believe. Her mother was my wife’s ladies’ maid. That was until she took ill and died recently. The day after I graciously paid to have a proper burial for her mother, the girl vanished.”
“Does your wife know anything? Or the cook. Surely she confided in the cook as to her plans?”
“Possibly. I never inquired.” The viscount rang the bell summoning a servant. “Please bring Mrs. Ellsworth to me.”
They sat in silence until the cook arrived, looking over
worked and flustered. “Yes milord, how may I help you?”
The viscount explained the reason for Wentworth and Spencer’s visit. Upon hearing the girl’s name, the cook rung her hands together and looked even more disconcerted.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, the miss left without a word to any of us in the kitchen. And honestly, she kept to herself. Only conversing with her mother. And nearing the end of her mothers’ life, she spent all her spare time nursing her.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ellsworth. That will be all,” the viscount said then focused on Wentworth. “I’m sorry we couldn’t be of help to you in your search. If I may be so bold as to ask, why are you seeking the girl?”
“She is my half-sister.” Without another word Wentworth and Spencer left. But Wentworth didn’t miss the panicked look that crossed the viscount’s features.
Once outside the home, Spencer addressed him. “He is hiding something.”
“I agree.” They walked their horses to the side of the estate where the servants’ door was located and knocked. To Wentworth’s surprise, the cook opened the door and hurried them inside the dark hallway.
“I knew you would come. So I waited, Your Grace.” The cook glanced over her shoulder then began her story. “The viscount made subtle hints as to his interest in the girl. While her mother lived, he only cornered her and occasionally managed a groping. After her mother died,” the cook crossed herself and muttered, “God rest her soul, she fled, afraid for her safety and virtue.”
“Any idea where?”
“No, but she talked about a relative. You must be him.”
Wentworth removed several coins from his pocket and placed them in the woman’s work worn hand. “Thank you.”
“Where to now,” Spencer asked as they mounted their horses.
“Hell if I know.” Wentworth was beyond frustrated. How could a young lady disappear without a trace? Easy. Servants vanished all the time, and no one ever cared what befell them. Well, this time someone cared and he cared very much.
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